Isuzu Impulse History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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The Impulse debuted in the US for 1983 as the American name for the Isuzu Piazza, a rear-wheel-drive sport coupe penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. With pop-up headlights and clean lines, it brought genuine European-sports-car styling to a modest Japanese platform. A turbocharged 140-hp version arrived for 1985.
A second generation arrived for the 1990 model year, switching to front-wheel drive (with all-wheel drive on the Impulse RS). The 1991 RS was a notable performer — a 160-hp turbocharged AWD coupe with Lotus-tuned suspension — but low volume (fewer than 13,000 second-generation US Impulses and Stylus combined) kept it obscure. The Impulse was discontinued after the 1992 model year.
Generations
First generation (Piazza) · JR130
Giugiaro-designed rear-drive sport coupe; turbo 140-hp version added for 1985. Source: Wikipedia 'Isuzu Piazza'.
1986 Photo: “File:1986 Isuzu Impulse.jpg” by DestinationFearFan / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1987 Photo: “File:1987 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo in Pure White, front left, 11-05-2022.jpg” by Cutlass / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · UE
Front-drive base with AWD Impulse RS (160-hp turbo, Lotus suspension) — rare and now collectible.
1990 Photo: “File:'90 Isuzu Impulse.jpg” by Bull-Doser / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
1991 Photo: “File:1991 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo (4893531287).jpg” by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Coupe (3-door liftback)
Notable special editions & performance variants
Impulse RS
160-hp turbocharged all-wheel-drive coupe with Lotus-tuned suspension — Isuzu's most capable US performance car.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
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